House Republicans want input on the USF as...
House Republicans want input on the USF as part of their fifth white paper on overhauling the Communications Act. Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., issued the four-page document Friday, requesting responses by…
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Sept. 19. “As a partnership between the federal and state governments, and funded by ratepayers, it is essential that we review and ensure the effectiveness of this $8 billion per year program as part of our #CommActUpdate process,” Upton and Walden said in a joint statement. “As technologies have been improved and networks upgraded, we have a responsibility to review the program to find out if the fund is still serving its purpose and if there may be better ways to accomplish its goals.” The paper asked eight questions about the nature of the fund and how the federal government manages the fund’s goals. It asked for input on what the proper state role should be as well as the USF’s role during and after the IP transition. “Are current programs at other federal agencies, like the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (which oversaw the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) or the Rural Utility Service (which oversees lending programs and oversaw the Broadband Initiatives Program) necessary?” the white paper asked (http://1.usa.gov/1pmX66c). “How should our policies address the existence of multiple privately funded networks in many parts of the country that currently receive support?